Garmin GA 38 User manual

GA™38

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Important Safety Information

WARNING

See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the GPS device product box for product warnings and

other important information.

CAUTION

To avoid possible personal injury, always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a dust mask when drilling,

cutting, or sanding.

NOTICE

When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the opposite side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.

This antenna can be installed to provide a stronger GPS signal to a compatible Garmin® chartplotter. This

antenna uses a BNC connector to connect to the port labeled ANTENNA or EXT GPS on a compatible Garmin

chartplotter.

Antenna Mounting Considerations

CAUTION

Do not install or store the antenna near strong magnets, including speakers. A strong magnetic field can

damage the antenna.

You can mount the antenna on a flat surface or attach it to a standard 1in. OD, 14threads per inch,

pipe-threaded pole (not included). You can route the cable outside of the pole or through the pole. For best

performance, consider these guidelines when selecting the antenna mounting location.

• To ensure the best reception, the antenna should be mounted in a location that has a clear, unobstructed

view of the sky in all directions .

• The antenna should not be mounted where it is shaded by the superstructure of the boat , a radome

antenna, or the mast.

• The antenna should not be mounted near the engine or other sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

TA-2013/783

GUID-4523A703-20B6-4900-8AA1-7FD4DDDF628D v7September 2023

• The antenna should not be mounted near known ferrous metal objects such as a toolbox or compass.

• If a radar is present, the antenna should be mounted above the path of the radar . If necessary, the antenna

may be mounted below the path of the radar .

• The antenna should not be mounted directly in the path of the radar .

• The antenna should not be mounted within 1m (3ft.) of a VHF radio antenna or the path of a radar .

Testing the Mounting Location

1Temporarily secure the antenna in the preferred mounting location and test it for correct operation.

2If you experience interference with other electronics, move the antenna to a different location, and test it

again.

3Repeat steps 1–2 until you observe full or acceptable signal strength.

4Permanently mount the antenna.

Surface Mounting the Antenna

NOTICE

If you are mounting the bracket on fiberglass with screws, it is recommended to use a countersink bit to drill a

clearance counterbore through only the top gel-coat layer. This will help to avoid cracking in the gel-coat layer

when the screws are tightened.

Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing

the Mounting Location, page2).

1Using the surface-mount bracket as your mounting template, mark the three pilot-hole locations and trace

the cable-hole in the center of the bracket.

2Set the surface-mount bracket aside.

Do not drill through the bracket.

3Use a 3.2mm (1/8in.) drill bit to drill the three pilot holes.

4Use a 25mm (1in.) drill bit or hole saw to drill or cut the cable hole in the center.

5Use the included M4 screws and a Phillips screwdriver to secure the surface-mount bracket to the mounting

surface.

If the included M4 screws are too short, use M4 screws of appropriate length.

6Route the cable through the center hole, and connect it to the antenna.

7Verify the large gasket is in place on the bottom of the antenna, place the antenna on the surface-mount

bracket, and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

8Use the M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the mounting bracket .

9Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.

Mounting the Antenna on a Pole

Mounting the Antenna with the Cable Routed Outside the Pole

Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing

the Mounting Location, page2).

1Route the cable through the pole-mount adapter , and place the cable in the vertical slot along the base

of the pole-mount adapter.

2Screw the pole-mount adapter onto a standard 1in. OD, 14 threads per inch, pipe-threaded pole (not

included).

Do not overtighten the adapter on the pole.

3Connect the cable to the antenna.

4Place the antenna on the pole-mount adapter and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

5Use the included M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the adapter .

6With the antenna installed on the pole mount, fill the remaining gap in the vertical cable slot with a marine

sealant (optional).

7Attach the pole to the boat if it is not already attached.

8Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.

Mounting the Antenna with the Cable Routed Through the Pole

Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing

the Mounting Location, page2).

1Position a standard 1in. OD, 14 threads per inch, pipe-threaded pole (not included) in the selected location,

and mark the approximate center of the pole.

2Use a 19mm (3/4in.) drill bit to drill a hole for the cable to pass through.

3Fasten the pole to the boat.

4Thread the pole-mount adapter onto the pole.

Do not overtighten the adapter.

5Route the cable through the pole and connect it to the antenna.

6Place the antenna on the pole-mount adapter and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

7Use the included M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the adapter .

8With the antenna installed on the pole mount, fill the vertical cable slot with a marine sealant (optional).

9Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.

Mounting the Antenna Under the Deck

NOTICE

Before using the included screws to secure the under-deck mounting bracket, verify they are short enough to

avoid penetrating through the surface. If necessary, purchase screws of the appropriate length.

Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing

the Mounting Location, page2).

Because the antenna cannot acquire signals through metal, it must be mounted under a fiberglass surface only.

The under-deck mounting kit is supplied with the white antenna models only.

1Place the adhesive pads on the under-deck mounting bracket .

2Place the antenna in the under-deck mounting bracket.

3Adhere the under-deck mounting bracket to the mounting surface.

4Secure the under-deck mounting bracket to the mounting surface with screws.

5Connect the cable to the antenna .

6Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.

Specifications

Measurement Specification

Dimensions (diameter x height) 319/32 × 115/16in. (91.6 × 49.5mm)

Weight 7.1oz (201g)

Temperature range White model: From -30° to 80°C (-22° to 176°F)

Black model: From -30° to 70°C (-22° to 158°F)

Case material Fully gasketed, high-impact plastic alloy

Water rating IEC 60529 IPX7

Compass-safe distance 114mm (4.5in.)

Limited Warranty

The Garmin standard limited warranty applies to this accessory. For more information, go to garmin.com

/support/warranty.

Australian Purchases: Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian

Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any

other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the

goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure. The benefits under our

Limited Warranty are in addition to other rights and remedies under applicable law in relation to the products.

Garmin Australasia, 30 Clay Place, Eastern Creek, NSW 2766, Australia. Phone: 1800 235 822.

Garmin® and the Garmin logo are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. These trademarks may not be used without the

express permission of Garmin.

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